Antidepressant properties of bioactive fractions from the extract of Crocus sativus L.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant properties of stigmas and corms of Crocus sativus L. The aqueous ethanol extract of C. sativus corms was fractionated on the basis of polarity. Among the different fractions, the petroleum ether fraction and dichloromethane fraction at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg showed significant antidepressant-like activities in dose-dependent manners, by means of behavioral models of depression. The immobility time in the forced swimming test and tail suspending test was significantly reduced by the two fractions, without accompanying changes in ambulation when assessed in the open-field test. By means of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique, twelve compounds of the petroleum ether fraction were identified. These data show that administration of C. sativus corms extract produces antidepressant-like effects. Aqueous stigmas extract also exerted antidepressive effects in the behavioral models. Crocin 1 and crocin 2 of the aqueous stigmas extract were identified by a reversed-phase HPLC analysis. In addition, the bioactive compound crocin 1 in this herb was quantitatively determined. The data indicate that antidepressant-like properties of aqueous stigma extracts may be due to crocin 1, giving support to the validity of the use of this plant in traditional medicine. All these results suggest that the low polarity parts of C. sativus corms should be considered as a new plant material for curing depression, which merit further studies regarding antidepressive-like activities of chemical compounds isolated from the two fractions and mechanism of action.

Chemical constituents and bioactivities of the liposoluble fraction from different medicinal parts ofCrocus sativus

“…Previous studies have already demonstrated that the ethanol extracts of saffron petal has antidepressant effect in a pre-clinical study (Moshiri et al, 2006), and petroleum ether and dichloromethane fractions of saffron corms produce antidepressant-like effects in behavioral models predictive of antidepressant properties (Wang et al, 2010). It is also reported that a kind of glucoconjugate, isolated from saffron corms and calluses has cytotoxic activity property against tumor cells (Escribano et al, 2000).…”

“…Moreover, saffron stigma has been used as a drug in folk medicine since ancient times for various purposes such as an aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, andexpectorant, antidepressant, and stomachic agent (Abdullaev, 1993;Richelson, 1994;Wang et al, 2010). In some folk remedies, it was also used against scarlet fever, smallpox, colds, asthma, eye, and heart diseases (Rios et al, 1996;Abdullaev and EspinosaAguirre, 2004;Carmona et al, 2007;Nemati et al, 2008).…”

Effects of Saffron Aqueous Extract and Its Main Constituent, Crocin, on Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Sexual Desire in Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a traditional therapeutic agent (11) mental, and cardiovascular disorders; moreover, it is used as an analgesic and antiinflammatory agent (12). Recent experimental and clinical findings indicate that saffron may have potentials in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, as well as some sexual problems (13)(14)(15)(16). The main carotenoid in saffron, crocin, seems to be responsible for its beneficial effects on mental and sexual health (14,17).…”

Identification of a quinazoline alkaloid produced byPenicillium vinaceum, an endophytic fungus fromCrocus sativus

“…(Iridaceae), commonly known as saffron, is a perennial stemless plant. Saffron stigma has become more and more popular due to its versatile biological and medicinal properties, such as anaphrodisiac, antispasmodic, expectorant, antidepressant, and stomachic activity (Abdullaev, 1993;Richelson, 1994;Wang et al, 2010). However, high demand but low yield resulted in extreme scarcity of this valuable medicinal resource.…”